The Late Jurassic Brae oilfields in the South Viking Graben of the northern North Sea contain naturally high concentrations of carbon dioxide (up to 35 mol %). Fields immediately adjacent to the graben bounding fault display the highest concentrations, with CO2 content decreasing eastward into the basin. It is thought the CO2 was introduced into the region via this fault. This thesis examines the possible source of the high CO2 present in the region, focusing on the graben margin fault as a potential conduit for CO2 flux from depth Investigation of cored sections penetrating the graben bounding fault revealed numerous carbonate cemented fracture arrays. The morphology of the fractures and cements is attributed to hydraulic fracturing induced by episodic release of overpressured fluids up the margin fault from depth. Periods of rapid subsidence omnipresent throughout the tectonic history of the graben are conducive to the generation of overpressure; a feature commonly reported in the region. Samples from the carbonate fracture cements were analysed using a host of techniques, including SEM, EMPA, fluid inclusion, and stable δ13C ‐ δ18O analyses. Using SEM analysis, at least five generations of dolomite cement with concomitant iron sulphide were observed. Cement chemistry and textures indicate precipitation from concentrated CO2–rich fluids. A reported high salinity basinal influx from depth concomitant with proposed CO2 charge into the region ~70 Ma is a probable source for the dissolved solids subsequently precipitated as carbonate in the fracture networks. Fluid inclusion analysis provided sufficient evidence to suggest the influx of hot fluids into the region, presumably sourced from deep in the margin fill. Two distinct δ13C vs. δ18O trends are observed in the isotope data from four wells studied. The trends are interpreted as differential mixing between ascending basinal fluids rich in dissolved inorganic carbon and in situ formation waters dominated by organically derived carbon following the onset of thermal decarboxylation in the Kimmeridge Clay Formation. Dissolution of Zechstein carbonates underlying the region is a credible source for the isotopically heavy CO2 found adjacent to the graben margin (δ13CCO2 = ‐2 to ‐5 ‰) and incorporated into the carbonate cements. Inferred variations in fluid mixing from well to well have implications on the variability of fluid flow along the graben margin with respect to contrasting fault morphologies. A Rayleigh fractionation model accommodating CO2 degassing from a hot ascending isotopically heavy fluid can be invoked to explain the observed carbon‐oxygen isotopic covariations in the fracture cements. Geochemical modelling simulating the ascent of CO2‐rich waters suggests degassing has limited impact on precipitation volumes, with fluid‐rock reactions the most likely driver for extensive carbonate mineralisation observed.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--McMaster University (Canada), 1994. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 57-03, Section: B, page: 1666. Adviser: R. G. Walker.

Thesis (doctoral)--Stockholms universitet, 1992. / Abstract in English. Added t.p. with thesis statement inserted. Includes bibliographical references (p. 151-177).

Today, the pets we own are thought of as friends and family members. A lot of people even go as far as saying that the pets they own are their children. While we have this close and almost human relationship with our pets, we also distance ourselves from the animals we have on our plates. What did the human – animal relationships look like during the Vendel Period and Viking Age?  The goal with this essay is to analyse cremation graves from the grave site in Valsgärde, Uppsala, and then compare these results with those from Ylva Bäckström’s osteological study of eight cremation graves from Valsgärde and with Berit Sigvallius’ study of the cremated material from the grave fields in northern Spånga. The grave field in Valsgärde, Uppsala, is dated to pre-Roman Iron Age as well as Vendel Period and Viking Age. The boat graves are what the grave field in Valsgärde is most famous for, but in addition to the 15 boat graves there are also at least 62 cremation graves and 15 skeleton graves. The graves in the northern Spånga are dated to 500 BC. - 1050 AD and lies in Kista, Granby, Ervinge and Kymlinge. The osteological study and the comparison with the two previously executed analysis have been done with the purpose to see in what way the relations between humans and animals expresses itself in the osteological material of Uppland during the late Iron Age. Hopefully the composition of the graves’ animal material will contain indicators of the human – animal relations. Previously conducted studies of Iron Age cremation graves in general, has shown that there was a significant increase in the amount of animal bones in the graves during the Vendel and Viking age. Animals are clearly important to the people during the late Iron Age. In what way were the animals significant and how is this expressed in the material?

The aim of this essay is to question and analyze problems surrounding the current research within the field of spikes.The latest breakout was in the early 50's,since then there haven't been any major research projects and no interpretation have been made.Not only does this  essay bring a contribution to the research of spikes but also question what has earlier been established through interpretations.The focus of this essay is on the spikes found on the island of Gotland in the Baltic sea,these are currently stored at the Museum of Gotland.What was the main area of use that these spikes had and in which context are they found? Although only 27 finds will be analyzed during this essay ,the goal is to get a greater understanding of the usage of these finds and how this will contribute to the archaelogical sites.

The cemetery of Valsgärde, Sweden contains 92 human graves dating from the 3rdc. BCE to the 11thc. CE, the majority and most elaborate of which date to the Vendel and Viking Ages (approximately 500-1100 CE). This total consists of 15 unburnt boat graves, 15 inhumation and chamber graves, and 62 cremations. In addition to the human remains and wealthy goods, the site is noted for its richness in zooarchaeological material, with a variety of primarily domestic animals appearing buried alongside humans. One of the most commonly represented animals in these graves is the domestic dog (Canis familiaris), a trend which has been noted in many other sites from Vendel and Viking Age Sweden. This project quantifies and analyses the morphology of the dogs in the unburnt Vendel and Viking graves at Valsgärde in order to a) assemble a general typology and demographic profile for the population, b) assess the level of morphological variability in the population, and c) speculate on the possible roles these dogs may have played in Scandinavian society in the Late Iron Age. Comparisons are made between the character of dog burials in the Vendel vs Viking periods, to identify any notable shifts in trend over time. The analysis shows that while the size of the dogs generally remains consistent throughout both periods, a number of different types are represented within this limited size range, and the Viking Age burials contain notably fewer dogs than the graves of the Vendel Period.

The deposition of animals in graves was an essential aspect of burial practice in Scandinavia during the Vendel Period and Viking Age (550–1050 AD). While this rite occurs in many different regions, it is most clearly observed in the boat-graves from the famous cemeteries in Swedish Uppland, such as Vendel and Valsgärde, as well as in a number of high-status cremation graves. Former studies have tended to interpret faunal remains from burial contexts as food offerings, diplomatic gifts or simply as sacrifices. These explanations place an emphasis on the importance of the human dead and imply that grave assemblages mainly served to accompany the deceased as a provision for the afterlife, or to illustrate power, status and identity among the living. The master’s thesis presented here, comprises an analysis of animal depositions from both cremation and inhumation burials in Uppland. By applying the theory of agency, this study focuses on grave assemblages and human-animal relationships as a means of understanding burial practices. Instead of only paying attention to the type of bones and the animal species, it is equally important to consider the condition of the bones, their placement inside the grave and the placement of artefacts ascribed to certain animals in relation to the human dead. This is not only essential to decoding human-animal relationships as evident in burial practices, but also to understanding the many different processes that culminated in the deposition of animal bones in graves.

The focus of this study is to detect any similarities – or lack thereof – between the alloys of different types of oval brooches from the later Iron Age in Scandinavia. The study is furthermore concerned with how the alloys and the typologies can be mutually complimentary to one another in regards to dating or determining the age of specific oval brooches. For this purpose X-ray fluorescence (pXRF) was used on five different items deriving from Birka, Vendel and one of unknown context. The results indicate continuity with earlier studies regarding copper alloys with contents of zinc, and that this study’s brass brooches may have been produced in this alloy for its gold-like appearance. A higher level of lead can be found in the younger brooches, therefore indicating that tortoise brooches of a later date may contain more lead than their earlier counterparts. Furthermore, the study shows that brass may be mistaken for gold, and it raises questions about the use of metal originating from native copper sources. This study is a part of the Birka Black Earth Harbour project. / The Birka Black Earth Harbour project

This essay aims to introduce perspectives from transgender studies into archaeology´s gender analysis, by re-examining two graves. The essay examines two graves, grave 9 from Vivallen, and grave Bj 581 from Birka, Sweden. These two graves are examples of graves with a difference in archaeological gender assessment, and sex as determined by osteology and DNA-analysis. The essay discusses the grave material, and the written sources, to examine how people in the Viking Age with non-normative gender-expressions can be understood using tools from queer-and transgender studies, with the aim to not make cis-normativity the default interpretation

Since the 19th century archaeologists have found different types om amulet rings on various dig sites around Scandinavia with the biggest concentration in the Mälardal area. It is an object connect to old Viking age and Vendel period societies found from time to time during archaeological excavations. The problem with the amulet rings is, that the scientists don’t know how to fully interpret these artefacts. The common belief is that amulet rings are object connected to religious practice and the pagan cult. The purpose of this essay is to give the amulet rings a larger meaning and try to put new light on them, to widen the understanding of the object and to point out that more than religion can be interpreted around the artefacts and the context they are preserved in. This will put the rings in a more social sphere and widen the meaning and use of the object and the understanding of the Viking people. This essay is written with an intention to give a broader image surrounding the social role of the amulet rings in Viking age societies. This will be done through a descriptive and investigative mapping of the micro contexts of the amulet rings. The archaeological sites that will be used to do so are Lilla Ullevi and Kalvshälla in Uppland with a contextual approach as a theoretical perspective. In this essay, it has been shown that the sites have used the amulet rings to find religious connections in the Viking age and Vendel period complexes by schematically interpreting the rings as religious objects instead of seeing the possibilities in the material. Even if religion seems to be present the distribution of the rings indicates a larger scale of social use and not only religious actions. The result is that the ring is more flexible and complex then previously thought and more in-depth research into amulet rings is needed to fully understand the object and to use them in bigger archaeological interpretations.